HAMBURG'S FIGHTBACK COMES TO LATE by Susan Edghill in Rotterdam

In the final of the Euro Hockey League, UHC Hamburg, last year's winners, came up against Dutch champions Bloemendaal. Bloemendaal showed their intent after seven minutes when Ronald Brouwer scored from a penalty corner. He swiftly followed this up with another after a superb run and cross by Jamie Dwyer. And two minutes later Dwyer scored an almost identical goal to yesterday when he picked up the ball on the left and fired it into the net past hapless goalkeeper, Jacobi. Jacobi made a great save from Teun de Nooijer on twenty minutes but de Nooijer followed up to make it 4-0 to Bloemendaal.

UHC finally got on the score sheet with a goal from Philip Sunkel, and then Olmer Meijer scored from a penalty corner to restore the four goal difference before Marco Miltkau scored for UHC also from a penalty corner to make it 5-2 at half time.

In the second half Bloemendaal sat back and after seven minutes Patrick Breitenstein of UHC scored from another penalty corner. And when Miltkau scored his second of the game with 13 minutes remaining UHC must have thought they were still in with a chance to retain their title. But it was not to be and Bloemendaal held out with one or two chances of their own, notably one which fell to Brouwer who failed to complete his hat-trick when the keeper pushed him wide. Bloemendaal were the deserved winners here but it could have been so different if /East Grinstead had managed to hold on in the 3^rd round.

The winner of the supporters award must go to the Germans once more. They travelled from far and wide to see their team play. One lady with her baby came from near Frankfurt because she heard there was going to be some good hockey. How right she was.

In the third place play off at the EHL finals, Rotterdam came out with all guns blazing as they took an early lead through Jeroen Hertzberger, one of three brothers playing in the Rotterdam side.

Leuven's efforts of yesterday seemed to overtake them as Rotterdam scored two more goals through Phil Burrows to take them to a 3-0 lead before Leuven's liveliest player, Pau Quemada, bagged a goal which made the score look a little more presentable. But Rotterdam hit back again before the half-time break through Simon Child.

Leuven tried hard in the second half but it was all Rotterdam as they rattled in four more goals in the second half through Ryan Archibald, Guidio Van Buul, Peter Taylor and another from Jeroen Hertzberger. A thoroughly deserved win for Rotterdam even if the 8-1 score line was a bit crushing for a Leuven side who had given all the day before in their attempt to beat the Germans.

The two goalkeepers were substituted towards the end of the second half, the Rotterdam goalkeeper to join his colleagues in Malaysia for a warm up game for the U-21 World Cup and the Leuven goalkeeper, into retirement.

SLOUGH’S DREAMS ENDED by Peter Colwill in Den Bosch

Slough's dreams of being the first British team to lift the Women's Eurohockey Club Championship Cup, now in its 36^th year, were extinguished in the heated atmosphere here in the Netherlands yesterday when they were thrashed 5-0   by the host club Den Bosch in their second game of the weekend's championship.

The Dutch club playing powerful, well drilled hockey looked well on their way to a record tenth successive title.  Den Bosch who had been only last weekend piped by Amsterdam in the Dutch play-offs for the National title after a remarkable run of 11 years quickly threw off the shadow of that disappointment to regain their convincing form by disposing of Royal Antwerp 8-0 on Friday.

Slough who had been disappointing, drawing 2-2 in their opening game against Atasport from Azerbaijan, were yesterday always struggling against the well oiled Dutch machine.  They were never in contention after 23 year old Dutch Sports Science student Maatje Paumen scored the first of her four goalls in the fifth minute.  Slough's chances were limited to one penalty corner and a half chance from open play.  Only courageous goalkeeping from Sarah Ellis kept the score within bounds.

Day2 Results: 

Pool A:

Atasport (Aze) 8  Royal Antwerp 2

Den Bosch  5  Slough 0

Pool B: 

CD Terrassa 4 Volga Telecom 2

Berliner 2     Sumchanka (Ukr) 0

HOME SIDE CRASH OUT IN EUROHOCKEY SEMIS by Susan Edghill in Rotterdam

In the first match of the "Final Four" at the EuroHockey League in Rotterdam, UHC Hamburg dominated the opening sortie before Leuven had the first shot on goal, a deflection from a cross, well saved by Jacobi in the Hamburg goal. But a moment later UHC took the lead when Tom Mieling forced his way into the circle and shot past the Belgian goalkeeper. 10 mins later saw a slip by a German defender and the Belgians made them pay by passing around the remaining players and putting the ball into the net through Renaud Pangrazio. At the start of the 2^nd quarter UHC came out with all guns blazing and a minute later another sizzling run by Spanish player Carlos Nevado (pictured) down the left saw his cross not cleared by the Belgian defence and Marco Miltkau blast it into the goal. Immediately from the pushback Nevado was left unchallenged, this time in the middle of the pitch, and his reverse stick strike from the top of the circle gave UHC a 3-1 lead. The Belgians didn't give up and ten minutes later pulled one through Pau Quemada.

The second half was a much quieter affair although both sides had chances and there were some superb saves by both 'keepers. In the last quarter of the match Leuven thought they had equalised from the only penalty corner of the match. However the shot was deemed dangerous when it was deflected in from a high shot and UHC held out to get to the final for the second year in a row and with a chance of defending their title.

The second match of the day saw hosts Rotterdam and last weekend's Dutch playoff final winners, Bloemendaal, meet again for the sixth time this season. Bloemendaal took the lead through Wouter Jolie from their first penalty corner in the 24^th minute. They added a second from their second penalty corner through Olmer Meijer on the stroke of half time.

Phil Burrows put Rotterdam in with a chance when he scored at the beginning of the second half. A mistake on the left was pounced on by Jamie Dwyer - and he doesn't miss many chances like that - as he fired the ball into the back of the net. Burrows again pulled one back to make it 3-2 but an almost identical goal to Dwyer's, this time from Ronald Brouwer, made it 4-2. However, there was one last gasp from Rotterdam when Mark Knowles danced up the pitch from before the halfway line, and pirouetted at the top of the circle to score the best goal of the game and make the score 4-3. They pushed hard and hit the post but couldn't get past Bloemendaal's defence again and the final score remained at 4-3.

SLOUGH HAVE DISAPPOINTING DAY ONE from Peter Colwill at the EuroHockey Women’s Club Championships in Den Bosch

Picture: Slough coach Todd Williams

Slough started the Eurohockey Women's Club Championship with a disappointing draw against Atasport from Azerbaijan who equalised with the last hit of the match. "We should have buried them" was Todd Williams, the Slough coach's verdict.

Atasport who included three Koreans and an Italian took the lead in the eighth minute when Alizada Bo Kyong found space in the Slough circle and finished with a well placed shot. From then on Slough dominated the half but could find no way past the massed Atasport defence. The second half was a different story. Alex Scott who had got up at 3a.m. to fly in on the morning of the match won Slough's first penalty corner in the opening minute of the half. Jane Smith's shot from the resulting corner took a helpful deflection from a defender and Slough were level.

Three minutes later Scott was in action again this time at the other end saving on the goal line with Sarah Ellis comprehensively beaten. Two minutes later she was having a decisive effect at the other end when she deflected in Smith's pass from a penalty corner. There was further action at either end. Fiona Greenham took a stinging penalty corner off the line and Lauren Penney shot straight at the goalkeeper when well placed.

With victory in their grasp Slough squandered it when Mandy Nicholson failed to cut out a long clearance presenting Dilfuza Mixaliyeva, the Atasport captain with an opportunity to equalise which she took with aplomb.

Slough's next opponents on Saturday Den Bosch, the hosts, who started with a scintillating 8-0 victory against Royal Antwerp.

In the other pool Berliner had little difficulty overcoming Volga Telecom from Russia 4-0 but CD Terrassa looked unconvincing against Sumchanka from the Ukraine winning 2-1

Day One Results:

Pool A
Atasport (Aze) 2 Slough 2

Den Bosch 8 Royal Antwerp 0

Pool B
CD Terrassa 2 Sumchanka (Ukr) 1

Berliner 4 Volga Telecom (Rus) 0.

ENGLAND DRAW SECOND PRACTICE MATCH

Catriona Forrest's 4^th minute goal for Scotland left England trailing for much of the first half in their second practice match in Manchester. Alex Danson equalised before the break and the score remained at 1-1 until the final whistle.

No caps are being awarded for either today's match or the match played against Scotland yesterday.

ENGLAND WOMEN IN ACTION IN MANCHESTER

As part of their preparation for the Women's Champion's Trophy in Sydney in two months time, England played the first of two practice matches against Scotland this afternoon (Saturday). Kate Walsh opened the scoring from a penalty corner after 24 minutes and Kerry Williams made it two 13 minutes into the second half. Scotland replied two minutes later but goals from Hannah Macleod and Nicola White finished the job for England. Final score 4-1. The sides meet again tomorrow.

ENGLAND TEAM: Ashleigh Ball (Slough), Alex Danson (Klein Zwitserland), Gemma Darrington (Leicester), Jo Ellis (Bowdon Hightown),Susie Gilbert (University of Birmingham), Rebecca Herbert (Kampong), Katie Long (Leicester), Kirsty Mackay (GK) (Bowdon Hightown), Hannah Macleod (Leicester), Sam Quek (Bowdon Hightown), Chloe Rogers (Leicester), Natalie Seymour (Canterbury), Beth Storry (GK) (SCHC), Chloe Strong (Pinoke), Laura Unsworth (Loughborough Students), Kate Walsh (SCHC), Sally Walton (Bowdon Hightown), Nicola White (Loughborough Students), Kerry Williams (Leicester).

HOCKEY’S BIG NIGHT OUT SUCCESS

England's Big Night Out lived up to its name with a galaxy of hockey stars and volunteers gathered together for hockey's own Oscars. The full list of winners is given below but a very special mention must be given to the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Ros Marsh (pictured). Ros from the Chelmsford Club has given 30 years to hockey, most recently as a Slazenger League match official. The announcement of her award brought a standing ovation from the packed room at Nottingham's Crown Plaza Hotel. A full report and pictures from the evening will appear in the next edition of our on-line magazine, HockeyTalk, available to download from our site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk from 28 May 2009.

The winners:
MALE PERFORMANCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Glenn Kirkham
FEMALE PERFORMANCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Crista Cullen
YOUNG MALE PERFORMANCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ashley Jackson
YOUNG FEMALE PERFORMANCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Charlotte Craddock
PERFORMANCE COACH OF THE YEAR: John Bell (Brooklands MU)
YOUNG PERFORMANCE COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Moss
PERFORMANCE UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Any Mair
YOUNG PERFORMANCE UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Paul Walker

CLUB OF THE YEAR: East Grinstead
CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Lynn Hall (Longbridge)
CLUB COACH OF THE YEAR: Jenny Nunneley (Banbury)
CLUB UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Jean Levy (Cheltenham Civil Service)
ASSOCIATION OR LEAGUE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Margaret McLoughlin (Leicester Hockey Development Group)
FEMALE CLUB TEAM OF THE YEAR: East Grinstead Ladies 1^st Xl
MALE CLUB TEAM OF THE YEAR: Milton Keynes Men's 1^st Xl

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Jean Levy, Cheltenham Civil Service
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Ros Marsh

READING WIN HALF OF DOUBLE by Peter Savage at Highfields, Nottingham

Cup Finals day at Highfields produced two matches, which whilst not classics, were nevertheless intriguing encounters.

Old hands Reading, with six Cup Final wins behind them were pitted against the holders, Beeston, in the men’s final. In an evenly matched game, Reading took a 15th minute lead when Richard Mantell slammed a penalty corner passed George Pinner in the Beeston net. The single goal was all that showed on the scoreboard for the next 42 minutes until Beeston had the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot. Chris Seddon stepped up and made no mistake.
With another final to play and England Hockey’s ‘Big Night Out’ awards dinner due to start at 8 pm that evening, there was some nervous glances at watches as the clocked ticked down to the final hooter with the score stuck on 1-1. But two goals in less than sixty seconds, the first from Warren D’Souza and the second from Jon Codling (initially wrongly attributed to Rhys Joyce) gave Reading a 3-1 lead and that is how the scores remained at full time.

It would be wrong to suggest that Reading have had a bad season – far from it – but taking the Cup is a worthy reward for a side that have been so near, but just not near enough during the 2008-2009 season.

Reading were hoping to create a first, that of being the first club to lift both the men’s and women’s Cups in the same season. Up against the League Champions, Bowdon Hightown, Reading seemed to have an uphill task. But under the tutorship of Rhys Joyce, the Berkshire side seemed more than a match for their illustrious opponents. Indeed, when the first goal came it was in controversial circumstances. A shot from Bowdon’s Fay Nash found the back of the net in the 15th minute and initially there seemed to be a muted response from both teams. Umpire Barker signalled for a goal and her colleague gave a thumbs-up sign to confirm, but a large section of Reading supporters sitting behind me were claiming that the ball had not been struck in the ‘D’, although in fairness the Reading team seemed to accept the decision.

Reading certainly never looked outclassed and had some enterprising efforts in front of goal. Eventually their reward came in three minutes into the second half when Becky Odlin found the net from a penalty corner. Again there was some nervous checking of watches as the seconds ticked away, but it only took four minutes for the League Champions to reply. A cross from Julie Bishop was neatly parried by Jo Ellis passed Lucy Stevenson in the Reading goal to give Bowdon the win. Final score 2-1.

A report of the England Hockey’s ‘Big Night Out’ will appear on this blog later. Photographs from the finals will appear on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) tomorrow (Monday).

EGERTON SCORES FOR ENGLAND ON SECOND OUTING

Bowdon's Simon Egerton, playing in only his second full England match, put England ahead in their second test match against Germany in Nuremburg is afternoon.

Egerton's goal was the third in an England fight back which had seen them 2-0 behind with 20 minutes left to play. Two penalty corner conversions by Matt Daly in the space of three minutes put the sides of equal terms, and then a goal in open play by Egerton briefly put England into the lead. Unfortunately, England were deprived of a notable victory when Oliver Korn equalised for Germany in the closing minutes. Final score 3-3.

England team: Richard Alexander, Rob Moore, Matt Daly, James Tindall (Surbiton), Jonty Clarke, Richard Mantell, Richard Springham, Ian Mackay (Reading), Adam Dixon, Alistair Wilson, Martin Jones (Beeston), Simon Egerton (Bowdon), James Fair (Cannock), Simon Mantell (HGC, The Netherlands), Richard Smith (Loughborough Students), and Dan Fox (Hampstead and Westminster).

Did not play: Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead) and Barry Middleton (HGC)

Correction to earlier report

The report on the test match between England and Germany incorrectly stated that the match was played in Hamburg. This should have read 'Nuremburg'. Our apologies for the error.

FIVE NEW CAPS FACE GERMANS IN NUREMBURG

An England side which included five new caps, went down 2-0 to Germany in Nuremburg this afternoon in sweltering weather. Germany's Christophe Menke was the scorer of both his side's goals. James Tindall, playing his 100^th international, came close to winning a penalty stroke when his stick was taken away from him as he was about to shoot, but England had to be content with a penalty corner, which they were unable to convert.

The team: Jonty Clarke, Richard Mantell, Ian Mackay*, Richard Springham (Reading), James Fair (Cannock), Dan Fox* (Hampstead & Westminster), Martin Jones, Alistair Wilson, Adam Dixon* (Beeston), Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead), Barry Middleton, Simon Mantell (HGC, Netherlands),Rob Moore, James Tindall (Surbiton), Richard Smith* (Loughborough Students), and Simon Egerton* (Bowdon). Richard Alexander and Matt Daly (Surbiton), did not play.
*First full cap.

BROOKLANDS AND READING JOIN THE PREMIERSHIP by Peter Savage in Bristol

Photo: Brooklands MU hat-trick scorer Dave Seddon in a tussle with Oxted's goalie Duncan Holmes.

Brooklands MU from the EHL Men's Conference North have won the promotion play-offs, played at the University of the West of England at Bristol. Playing their last match of the tournament this afternoon, against Oxted of the East Conference, David Seddon scored a hat-trick in his side's 5-2 win. Brooklands played well organised but attacking hockey, building confidently from the back on each attack, to which their opponents had little answer. The match came to an unusual climax when Oxted were awarded a penalty stroke just as the final hooter sounded. Brooklands' Nick Little was lying prostrate in his own 'D' and required medical treatment to a gash to his knee, and the penalty stroke had to be taken in Oxted's goal whilst he was being cared for.

The match between University of Exeter and Havant was something of a dead rubber because the University had already secured promotion and Havant were already relegated. It lead to a match that was every bit as disappointing as it had been billed to be. Although Exeter had no need to win this match, they will have to play a lot better next season to survive in the Premier Division.

EHL MEN'S PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS. LAST DAY'S MATCH AND FINAL TABLE (Top two teams promoted to Premier Division)

Oxted		(0)		2	-	5		(2)		Brooklands MU
Johannes Kloess 48 - PC Justin King 70 - PS										David Seddon 7 27 37 - F F F Dave Flanagan 51 - F Ollie Cooper 59 - PC
University of Exeter		(0)		0	-	2		(0)		Havant
										Ahmed Ezz Mohamed 49 - F Ben Dando 54 - F

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Brooklands MU	3	2	1	0	12	8	4	7
2	University of Exeter	3	1	1	1	5	6	-1	4
3	Havant	3	1	0	2	7	7	0	3
4	Oxted	3	1	0	2	6	9	-3	3

After the disappointment of the men's match between Havant and University of Exeter, a bit of sparkle was put back into proceedings with a stellar display by the ladies of Reading. Their opponents, University of Durham, seemed to have the better part of the early possession, but Reading took their chances and were two up after 12 minutes, courtesy of Vicky Bryant and Becky Odlin. Durham seemed to be on the verge of making a second half recovery when Loren Sherer pulled one back in th 59^th minute, but 10 minutes later Reading's Emily Malden scored a stinger from the edge of the 'D' to put the final result beyond doubt.

EHL WOMEN'S PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS. LAST DAY'S MATCH AND FINAL TABLE (Top two teams promoted to Premier Division)

Reading		(2)		3	-	1		(0)		University of Durham
Vicky Bryant 11 - F Becky Odlin 12 - PC Emily Malden 69 - F										Loren Sherer 59 - PC
University of Birmingham		(0)		3	-	0		(0)		Ipswich
Sophie Bray 53 61 - F F Susie Gilbert 61 - PS

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	University of Birmingham	3	3	0	0	9	1	8	9
2	Reading	3	2	0	1	7	4	3	6
3	University of Durham	3	0	1	2	4	8	-4	1
4	Ipswich	3	0	1	2	2	9	-7	1

Women’s Results from EHL Promotion Play-offs

University of Birmingham		(1)		3	-	1		(0)		University of Durham
Sophie Bray 22 - PC Susie Gilbert 52 - F Liz George 60 - F										Loren Sherer 57 - PC
Ipswich		(0)		0	-	4		(2)		Reading
										Vicky Bryant 4 60 - F PC Claire Kerr 24 59 - F F

 

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	University of Birmingham	2	2	0	0	6	1	5	6
2	Reading	2	1	0	1	4	3	1	3
3	University of Durham	2	0	1	1	3	5	-2	1
4	Ipswich	2	0	1	1	2	6	-4	1

HAVANT SAY FAREWELL TO PREMIERSHIP HOCKEY

Havant's days as a Premier Division side came to an end this afternoon when they were beaten 3-2 by East Conference Oxted on the second day of the EHL promotion play-offs in Bristol. A second half rally by Havant was not enough to catch Oxted, who had taken a 3-0 first half lead. Leaders, University of Exeter and Brooklands MU drew their match 3-3.

Tomorrow North Conference Brooklands MU take on Oxted, whilst Havant will face University of Exeter from the North.

The women's results will appear later.

University of Exeter		(2)		3	-	3		(2)		Brooklands MU
Ian Haley 22 - F James Grannell 34 54 - PC F										Anthony Pike 12 15 - F F Ollie Cooper 60 - PC
Havant		(0)		2	-	3		(3)		Oxted
Tim Davenport 55 - PC Nathan Palmer 63 - F										Thornton Mcdade 11 18 27 - PC F F

 

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Brooklands MU	2	1	1	0	7	6	1	4
2	University of Exeter	2	1	1	0	5	4	1	4
3	Oxted	2	1	0	1	4	4	0	3
4	Havant	2	0	0	2	5	7	-2	0

 

 

Latest from EHL Promotion Play-offs

Reading		(0)		0	-	3		(0)		University of Birmingham
										Anna Coppel 51 - F Susie Gilbert 61 - PS Sophie Bray 65 - F
University of Durham		(1)		2	-	2		(2)		Ipswich
Ruth Gordon 9 - PC Loren Sherer 50 - PC										Jessica Bloom 6 - F Izzy Sheldrake 16 - PC

 

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	University of Birmingham	1	1	0	0	3	0	3	3
2	Ipswich	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
3	University of Durham	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
4	Reading	1	0	0	1	0	3	-3	0